A Boca Raton real estate developer and financier...

January 31, 1986

A Boca Raton real estate developer and financier Thursday filed a $7 million libel lawsuit against the Fort Lauderdale News and Sun-Sentinel Co., claiming that two articles published last November defamed his character and hurt his business.

The suit was filed in Palm Beach County Circuit Court by Moshe Tubero, who alleged that articles published on Nov. 24 and Nov. 25, 1985, concerning his plans to build a 26-story diamond center in Dania, resulted in his being subjected to ``public hatred, contempt, ridicule, distrust and calumny.``

He contends the articles violated his constitutional right to privacy and denied him his right to due process.

The suit contends Tubero ``suffered the destruction of his business and good will,`` and also claims the articles ``intentionally interfered with . . . prospective contracts to develop and construct the International Diamond Center. . . .``

The articles reported that Dania officials circumvented normal procedures in the building approval process and failed to examine Tubero`s background.